Riding Out the Storm Read online

  But what about everything else?

  Shit!

  He’d just have to find a way to make it all work, no matter how he had to persuade her, because he had no intention of letting her go. What he wanted with her was something permanent. Now he had to find out if she wanted the same thing.

  He closed his eyes, letting the edge of his consciousness fuzz, not asleep but not awake, either.

  “I think the rain is finally letting up.”

  Her voice jarred him out of his mental musings. She was standing by the window looking out at the streams of water.

  He went to stand next to her. The downpour wasn’t nearly as heavy as it had been. That meant time was running out on him. He’d have to act fast. Panic set in, a rare thing for a man always in control. He’d bought something on impulse after the one night they’d spent together then hidden it here in the cabin. Was it too soon to offer it to her? If he waited would he be too late? He was more nervous than a teenager on his first date.

  But this might be his only chance. And at least he’d find out how she felt, one way or the other.

  Jody slid a glance sideways at Logan. His face was expressionless with no clue as to what was going on in his head. They’d been in the cabin for three days, engaging in more sexual acts than she even thought existed, learning each other’s bodies and minds. There was nothing they hadn’t done. She’d knelt before him when he sat in the chair, hands cuffed behind her back and taken his cock deep in her mouth, sucking until he came in thick, hot spurts. Another time he hooked cuffs to wooden pegs on the wall, manacling her wrists and ankles, placed the vibrator in her pussy at full speed and flogged her until she came, shaking and shivering, convulsing, the orgasm making every muscle in her body tremble.

  He fucked her ass again and again as if he couldn’t stop himself, each time more intense and always with the blindfold on so what she felt was always more powerful than the time before.

  She found him to be obsessed with her naked mound, petting and caressing it whenever they lay together on the bed. Licking it, nipping it, running his tongue and fingers over it at every opportunity. When she told him he was making her hot, he slid ice cubes into her cunt then sucked her clit while they melted and she came in his mouth.

  He fed her from his hand, asking her what she liked, what tasted good to her. Waking her each morning with fresh, strong coffee just the way she liked it.

  That was all they’d done—talk, eat, have sex.

  Making love.

  Where did that come from? As far as she knew, when Logan took this collar off her for the last time, they’d each be going their own way. He’d given her no indication that he expected to take this further, other than one tiny little comment that first night.

  Eden had called twice on the satellite phone to make sure they were okay, admonishing her brother to be nice to Jody.

  “Shall I tell her I’m being as nice as I know how?” he grinned.

  But in another few hours this would all be over and she’d have to force herself back into the real world. Unconsciously she fingered the thin leather collar that had only been removed when they showered and wondered if she would ever again feel it around her neck.

  “I’d say another three or four more hours at the most and this should be over,” Logan said, turning away from the window. “By then if it hasn’t stopped completely the rain will at least be down to a manageable drizzle. I’m going to call Eden and the ranch, check on the roads in.”

  “Okay.” Jody sighed. “I’ll need to see about getting my car out of the ditch. I don’t expect it will run so I’ll have to get a tow someplace. And probably nothing in the backseat is salvageable.” She sighed again. Damn. What a pain. “Do you think Eden will drive me back into San Antonio?”

  Logan turned, cupped her chin and lifted her face to his. She thought he was about to say something but instead his lips covered hers and his tongue pressed into the hot recess of her mouth. His other hand slid under his old t-shirt she was wearing, palming one breast and plumping it, his thumb rasping the nipple.

  Heat shot straight to her pussy, cream rushing from her to wet her thighs.

  Damn. Would she ever be able to feel his touch without being ready to explode?

  He pulled her against him, lifting her just enough so she could feel his hot erection through the thin cotton of his boxers.

  “See what you do to me?” he told her when he raised his head. “Jesus, Jody, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you. Not ever.”

  “Logan.” She tried to steady her breathing but it was almost impossible with the waves of heat crashing through her.

  “Let me take care of the car for you, Jody. I’ll drive you back to San Antonio, if that’s what you want.” A muscle twitched in his cheek. “I’ll drive you anywhere you want. Any time.”

  “Logan?” This time she made it a question. “What’s going on here?”

  He lifted her up and carried her to the bed, sitting her on the edge. “Don’t move. Just…don’t move.” He walked toward the small chest of drawers. “I don’t know if I’m misreading signs here, making the biggest mistake of my life. But if I don’t do this, that might be my biggest mistake.”

  She had no idea what he was talking about so she simply sat and waited, her heart beating erratically, her palms damp.

  In a minute he was sitting on the floor in front of her, a thin, narrow box in his hand. He set it aside while he reached up to unbuckle the collar.

  Jody felt a sad nakedness without it. So this was it? What was in the box, a thank-you gift? Nice knowing you, great fucking you and I hope you like this?

  She noticed his hands shook slightly as he took the cover off. Now her curiosity was really running wild. Logan Mitchell never trembled at anything except maybe after an earth-shattering orgasm.

  But when he held the open box up for her to see, it was her turn to shake. For a moment she forgot to breathe. Nestled on soft cotton was a necklace of the thinnest gold links, each one joined to the other by a tiny heat with a diamond at its center.

  “I bought this after our one night together,” he explained. “I had no idea if you would accept my lifestyle but I was hoping if I got the chance to show you, maybe we could come to some kind of compromise. Meet each other halfway. Do you know what this is?”

  “A collar,” she whispered.

  He nodded. “To me it’s more binding than a wedding ring. To me it announces to everyone that we’re together permanently. That we’ve joined our lives together.”

  “Oh Logan.” Tears burned at her eyelids and trickled down her cheeks. She was so overcome she couldn’t find words to say anything.

  He shifted nervously. “You asked me if we were going to see each other again. I want to more than ‘see’ you. I want us to be together. Live together. Make a life together.” He exhaled sharply. “If it’s too soon, if you want more time…”

  Not knowing what else to do, she threw herself off the bed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed his face everywhere, his eyelids, his cheeks, the tiny cleft in his chin.

  “Should I take that as a yes?” he asked, laughing.

  “I was so afraid you were going to tell me it was over. After these days together, I don’t know how I could exist without you. And certainly any other man would have zero interest for me. I want you, Logan. Is it okay to say that?”

  He hugged her, his warm hand stroking her back. “Any time you want.” His face sobered. “I love you, Jody. I don’t know how it took me so long to realize it.”

  “I love you too.”

  “We have things to work out,” he pointed out to her.

  She waved a hand in the air. “Logistics. This is what really counts.”

  She moved her body so her cunt was pressing against his cock and rubbed herself back and forth.

  “Witch,” he laughed. “I’ll deal with you in a minute.”

  He lifted the necklace from the box and fastened at her nape, smoothi
ng it into place.

  “I love it,” she told him in a soft voice.

  “And I’m going to give you a chance to show me just how much.”

  He stood up with her in his arms and tumbled them both to the bed. In seconds he’d grabbed a condom and sheathed himself, lapped at her cunt to make sure she was wet enough and plunged inside her.

  “We’ll have time for foreplay later,” he whispered in her ear.

  She fluttered her eyelashes. “Yes, Master. Whatever you say.”

  Logan threw back his head and roared with a combination of laughter and possession as he plunged deeply inside her, making her his finally and completely.

  About the Author

  I always wonder what readers really want to know when I write one of these things. Getting to this point in my career has been an interesting journey. I’ve managed rock and roll bands and organized concerts. Been the only female on the sports staff of a university newspaper. Immersed myself in Nashville peddling a country singer. Lived in five different states. Married two very interesting but totally different men.

  I think I must have lived in Texas in another life, because the minute I set foot on Texas soil I knew I was home. Living in Texas Hill Country gives me inspiration for more stories than I’ll probably ever be able to tell, what with all the sexy cowboys who surround me and the gorgeous scenery that provides a great setting.

  Each day is a new adventure for me, as my characters come to life on the pages of my current work in progress. I’m absolutely compulsive about it when I’m writing and thank all the gods and goddesses that I have such a terrific husband who encourages my writing and puts up with my obsession. As a multi-published author, I love to hear from my readers. Their input keeps my mind fresh and always hunting for new ideas.

  Desiree welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and e-mail address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

  We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can e-mail us at [email protected].

  Also by Desiree Holt

  Cupid’s Shaft

  Diamond Lady

  Double Entry

  Ellora’s Cavemen: Flavors of Ecstasy I anthology

  Elven Magic with Regina Carlysle & Cindy Spencer Pape

  Emerald Green

  Hot Moon Rising

  Hot, Wicked and Wild

  I Dare You

  Journey to the Pearl

  Letting Go

  Line of Sight

  Night Heat

  Once Burned

  Once Upon a Wedding

  Teaching Molly

  Touch of Magic

  Where Danger Hides

  Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

  www.ellorascave.com